Geothermal Use in New ZealandAn overview of New Zealand’s Geothermal Science and Engineering Expertise

Greg Bignall
Department of Geothermal Sciences
Wairakei Research Centre, Taupo

GNS ScienceNew Zealand’s Geothermal Resources• Abundant resources•

1010 MWe base load generation•~17% of total generation•

4th in World for installed geothermal
electricity generation capacity• Increased uptake of direct heat(esp. GSHP)• Future ?
• + 0.5 GWe planned• ~ +1 GWe available• ~ 1.6 GWe protected

2Department of Geothermal Sciences

GNS ScienceNew Zealand Electricity Generation
Energy Demand

Agriculture

Commercial
Industrial

Residential

Annual Electricity Generation

http://www.mbie.govt.nz/infoservices/sectors-industries/energy/HydroGasWind
CoalGeothermal

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Department of Geothermal Sciences

GNS ScienceGeothermal Power Developments
Steam Condensing
Nga Awa Purua
Rotokawa 20102-phase Hybrid Binary
Mokai 1999 / 2005 / 20072-phase Binary
Ngatamariki 2013

Steam turbine / Water Binary
Wairakei 1958 / 2005
Steam Condensing –Pohipi 1996

Examples of Geothermal Power Generation Within New Zealand4

Department of Geothermal Sciences

GNS ScienceIndustrial Direct Heat Applications

Wairakei - Tauhara

5Department of Geothermal Sciences

KawerauMokai

GNS ScienceMāori Participation in Geothermal Projects

Members of Te Kapa Haka o Te Whanau-a- Apanui. Credit: Martin Hunter / Getty

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Department of Geothermal Sciences

GNS Science

Case Studies – Raising Awareness

GNS Earth Energy in your browser

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Department of Geothermal Sciences

GNS ScienceCharacterisation

Greenfield

Development
Cycle
Community

Exploration
Development Activity
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Department of Geothermal Sciences

GNS ScienceApplication of Geothermal Science• Integration of multidisciplinary / variously sourced geoscience data
• Apply geoscience expertise to promote, guide / support development• Recognition of geological hazards or barriers to development• Support decision-making to reduce financial or development risk

Conceptual (hypothetical) Model
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Department of Geothermal Sciences

Field Development ModelGNS Science

Innovative Science and Engineering
Conceptual Understanding – New Zealand drilling expertise – science interpretation & scenario modelling

Soengkono(unpubl)

Numerical modelling

B

Drilling Expertise

Surveys

Geoscience

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Department of Geothermal Sciences

GNS Science3

Geothermal Research“… environmentally sustainable growth in geothermal electricity generation,
including utilisation of the deep (3-7 km) resources, an increase in direct
applications, and new industries leveraged from geothermal resources.”
Key elements of success :• Innovative “problem solving” Government-funded research• Sophisticated analytical tools / facilities• Strong Industry – Researcher – Iwi relationships

SustainableDevelopment
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System Characterisationand Science Drilling

Department of Geothermal Sciences

Environmental Effects
Low Enthalpy Systems
GNS ScienceOther developments / innovation• Hazards regulations : new Health and Safety Act came into effectApril 2016
• Geoheat Strategy out for public comment by 31st May 2016.
• NZS2403:2015 Code of Practice for
Deep Geothermal Wells
Resulting from industry cooperation, this is aninternational best practice reference. It can bepurchased from Standards New Zealand.

• 39th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop
is 22rd-24th November 2017, in Rotorua.

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Department of Geothermal Sciences

GNS ScienceGeothermal Education / Training• Post Graduate Courses- Geothermal Institute Univ. Auckland

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Department of Geothermal Sciences•Technical Training Programmes•

NZAid/MFAT – Basic and advanced
geothermal training (e.g. at Gadjah
Mada University by GNS and UoA).

GNS ScienceDr. Greg Bignall
GNS Science
Wairakei Research Centre
Taupo, NEW ZEALAND

Thank you

http://www.gns.cri.nz
g.bignall@gns.cri.nz

GNS Science